Gate-latch.



PATENTBD JULY 30. 1907.

D. E. STETLBR. GATE LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1907.

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DANIEL E. STETLER, OF MEDFORD, OKLAHOMA TERRlTORY.

GATE-LATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July so, 1907.

Application filed January 7.1907. Serial No. 351,207.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL E. Srnrnnu, a citizen of the United States, residing at Medford, in the county of Grant, Oklahoma Territory, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate-Latches; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to new and useful improvements in gate latches, and has for its object the production of a gate latch that may be readily and removably attached to a gate post and'serve all of the functions of any of the more complicated latches of this character.

A further object of the invention is to secure inexpeusivcncss and simplicity in construction and effectiveness in operation.

In the accompanying drawings in which like parts are designated by like characters throughout the several vicwsz Figure 1, is a side elevation ofmy improved latch secured in operative position to a gate post, with a section of a gate; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of my invention; and Fig. 3 a perspective view of the locking member.

My invention is described as follows'.

The numeral 1, represents a gate post. A vertical latch frame having a horizontal guide plate 3, formed integral with its inner face near its upper end, is secured by lag screws 4, or other equivalent means, to said gate post 1. Said latch frame is also,providcd on its inner face immediately under said guide plate 3, with a vertical integral guide bearing 5, having a vertical perforation 6, a horizontal bearing pin 7, formed on its inner face near its upper end, and a horizontal recess 8 in its lower end. A vertical latch rod 10, threaded at its upper end, works through the vertical perforation 6, of said guide bearing 5, and through a corresponding perforation in said horizontal guide plate A cap 11 is screwed on the upper end of said vertical latch rod, and a coil spring 13 is secured around said rod between said cap and horizontal guide plate. Said vertical latch rod is also provided at its lower end with a horizontal locking jaw 14, which works in the recessed end of said vertical guide bearing. The inner end of said locking jaw extends beyondthe inner face of said guide bearing, the purpose of which will be disclosed. The numeral 15 represents a vertical locking member having a central transverse perforation 16 by means of which it is journaled to the horizontal bearing pin 7, of said vertical guide bearing 5. Said locking member is also provided at its upper end with two integral diverging fingers 16 and at its lower end with a curved bearing surface 17, having a central horizontal recess 18 and terminating at its ends in oblique stops 19. hen in use, the inner end of said horizontal locking jaw 14, of said vertical latch rod 10, is held in engagement with the horizontal recess 18 in the bearing surface 17 of said locking member 15, by the action of said coil spring 13, and the gate bolt 20, of the gate 21, rests on the upper end of said locking member between said diverging fingers 16. To open the gate sufficient pressure is applied to the cap 11, of said vertical latch rod 10 to overcome the action of said coil spring 13, and release the inner end of said horizontal locking jaw 14 from engagement with the recess 18 in the bearing surface 17 of said locking member 15, when the gate may be swung to the right or left as desired, said vertical locking member turning on the hori zontal bearing pin 7, of said guide bearing 5, and the bearing surface 17 of said member riding on the upper edge of said locking jaw until said jaw engages one of said oblique steps 19. To lock the gate, it is swung to the right or left, as the case may be, until the gate bolt engages one of the diverging fingers of said locking member 15, causing the same to turn. on said horizontal pivot pin 7, of said vertical guide bearing 5, until said locking member is in its normal position when the action of said coil spring l?) effects an upward movement of said vertical latch rod and throws the locking jaw of said latch rod in engagement with the recess in the bearing surface of said locking member.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is:

1. In a gate latch, the combination of a vertical latch frame, having a horizontal guide plate, on its inner face, a vertically perforated vertical guide bearing, having a horizontal recess in its lower end, secured to the inner face of said guide plate; a latch rod, working through said guide plate and guide bearing; a cap screwed on the upper end of said rod; a coil spring secured around said rod, between said cap and guide plate; a horizontal locking jaw secured to the lower end of said hitch rod, and a verticallocking member, terminating at its upper end in two diverging lingers and having a horizontally recessed bearing surface, terminating in oblique stops at its lower end, journaled to said horizontal bearing pin of said guide bearing, substantially as described.

2. In a gate latch, the combination of a frame; a guide bearing having a horizontal bearing pin on its inner face, and a horizontal recess in its lower end, secured to the inner face of said frame; a latch rod working through said guide bearing; a cap disposed on the upper end of said rod; a coil spring working around said rod below said 'cup; a locking jaw secured to the lower end of said rod,

and a vertical locking member having two diverging fingers at its upper end, and a horizontally recessed bearing; surface, terminating in oblique stops, at its lower end, journaled to said bearing pin of said guide bearing, substantially as described.

3. In a gate latch, the combination of a frame; a vertical latch rod, having a locking jaw at its lower end, movably secured to said frame; a cap, screwed on the upper end of said rod; a coil spring working around said rod below said cap, and a locking member, having two diverging fingers at its upper end, and a horizontally recessed bearing surface terminating in oblique stops, journaled near the inner face of said frame, substantially as described.

4. In a gate latch, the combination of a frame; a locking member terminating at its upper end in two diverging fingers, and having a horizontally recessed bearing surface at its lower end, terminating in oblique stops, journaled near the inner face of said locking member; a horizontal locking jaw located near the lower end of said frame, with means for holding" the iiiiiier edge of said jaw in engage- 1G ment with the horizontally recessed bearing surface of said locking member, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DANIEL E. STETLER. Witnesses i J. P. BECKER, D. D. STETLER. 

